The Grenada meeting of CARICOM leaders has ended with declared ‘unity’ on the approach to the Venezuela issue, agreement on an implementation timeline for outstanding free movement issues, as well as threats that taxes could be hiked to respond to the epidemic of non-communicable diseases.
CARICOM Chairman Dr Keith Mitchell officially disclosed the decisions during a press conference this evening in St George’s where 13 leaders met to tackle regional issues.
News had filtered throughout today’s final day long before Mitchell confirmed that he had been mandated to write to Venezuela’s president, Nicolas Maduro, and the opposition, proposing the region’s mission team to help mediate.
“CARICOM heads of government call for all parties to commit to engage in a renewed dialogue and negotiation leading to comprehensive political agreement with established timetables, concrete actions and guarantees to ensure its implementation,” Mitchell told journalists in Grand Anse, St George’s.
This is a fudge. It says nothing about the opinions and views that Caricom states have about the current conditions in Venezuela. That country needs a mediation team from a divided Caricom like a hole in the heads, especially if such a team is led by Rpsevelt Skerritm God forbid. Just imaginem one dictator mediating with another one. Poor people of Venezuela, poor people of Dominica. The funeral rites of democracy.
“The Grenada meeting of CARICOM leaders has ended with declared ‘unity’ on the approach to the Venezuela issue.” And what might that approach be? To stand and look? Non-interference? Do not criticise President Maduro? Look the other way and pretend it is not happening? Do not disturb our cheap oil relationship?
Very interesting article. I already know a little more about what is happening in this part of the world. Thank you
Do nothing Caricom. smh.
Caricom carry Go. Do nothing Caricom. ###smh.
Thanks Folks, see you all next year?
See them fighting for power, but they know not the hour!!!
Having Grenada’ Kieth Mitchel as Caricom chair, will continue the regression of an almost dead, joint caribbean assembly. Since being hand picked by the USA to bring US style democracy to Grenada after the invasion, the spice island have seen nothing but economic stagnation with him as prime minister. Caricom is a reflection of the division that presently exist among individuals and so-called nations populated by the decedents of slaves. Mr Mitchel, as an agent of US imperialism, will never have the vision of a ONE CARIBBEAN, division is what the US policy is based on, and he has played his part in keeping the status quo. In the service economy of the caribbean, children of former slaves now occupying the islands, are treated second class and in some cases with no class, all because of the superfluous unity that presently exist. The vision of the TRANSITIONED prime ministers, is nothing but fruitless it seems. Bob D.
Bob my brother you sound like you are still a slave. Is only you that keeps you in chains, open your mind and break free. Is nobody stopping you but yourself. Good luck
Well, its a start The Caribbean/Caricom can be the mediator because we want Venezuela to succeed!
You dummy, they want Maduro to continue so they can get their fuel and not pay back what they already owe.
finally a step in the right direction
Mr Mitchell we also need help in Dominica
Please send caricom to our rescue there’s
Marduro number 2 our Dominica like Venezuela
Please help us pleaseeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssss
Listen, if the leaders of Caricom do not deem it necessary to stay for the whole meeting they attend once a year I can not see how they can be serious about Caricom and its aims itself. You guys are sending the wrong message.